A Hucknall alleyway that was major hotspot for anti-social behaviour (ASB) has incidents fall by some 30 per cent since it was gated off by Ashfield Council.

Whether to keep the gates in place, or remove them, will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on Tuesday, November 25.

Eight alleyways were gated off in 2023 under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which is due to expire in 2026, unless a three-year extension is approved at cabinet.

Among them was an alleyway on Rockwood Walk in Hucknall.

The alley off Rockwood Walk in Hucknall was gated off after it became an ASB hotspot. Photo: Google

placeholder image — The alley off Rockwood Walk in Hucknall was gated off after it became an ASB hotspot. Photo: Google

As well as the Hucknall alley, gates were installed on alleys between Bentinck Street and Bramley Court, Sutton, Downing Street and North Street, Sutton, Welbeck Street and Portland Close, Sutton, Bramley Court and Sutton Lawn, Sutton, Spruce Grove and Beacon Drive, Kirkby, Rosewood Drive, Kirkby and between Spruce Grove and Poplar Avenue, Kirkby.

Figures show that since being gated, ASB has fallen by 34 per cent around all those areas.

An overwhelming majority of 395 residents are currently in favour of keeping the alleyways gated.

Since being installed residents have also commented that they feel safer in those areas and have noticed less fly-tipping.

Hucknall councillor John Wilmott (Ash Ind), executive lead member for community safety, said: “Gating off the alleyways has had a huge positive impact on the lives of the residents who live near these former ASB hotspots.

"We are certain that removing them would be extremely detrimental and would see a return of the behaviours that blighted these communities.

“By extending the PSPO, we are showing our commitment to stamping out ASB.

“One of our top priorities is tackling these unwanted behaviours in Ashfield to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe here”.

The gating order is just one method the council has implemented to tackle ASB.

Safe Point cameras have been installed in all three town centres and ultra high-definition CCTV cameras have been mounted across Ashfield under the Safer Streets scheme.

Businesses throughout town centres signed up to become Safe Spaces, meaning they were fitted with CCTV cameras, lights and training to offer sanctuary for anyone who needs it.

If cabinet approves the extension, the council will launch a formal public consultation this month seeking residents’ views on the PSPO.

The results of this will then be fed back to cabinet and full council for the final decision in the new year.